Guides

WASHINGTON — On a pleasant spring night, thousands of police officers from every corner of the nation gathered here Thursday for the 22nd annual candle light vigil to pay respect to their fallen brethren who died in the line of duty and to hear speakers including Atty. Gen. Eric Holder Jr. and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

“This year in particular we are reminded of the gravity of this mission. As you know well, a few days after Thanksgiving last year, four police officers sat together at a coffee shop in Lakewood, Washington preparing for a work day they would not live to see,” said Holder, the keynote speaker, before the crowd at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

“Shortly before 8:30 that morning these officers were ambushed by a gunman and all four were killed in cold blood. It is believed they were targeted, shot at and murdered simply because of the uniforms that they wore and the public service that they provided . These victims of course were members of Lakewood’s 100 member police department, but they were also part of something larger, they were part of a community that stretches from Tallahassee to Anchorage from Sacramento to Augusta. They were part of a community that spans every level of our government, federal, state, local and tribal.”

He went on to talk about officers who have lost their lives, saying: “While we can never repay the debt of gratitude we owe these courageous public servants we will never forget their stories. Our candles tonight may burn only briefly, but we will forever carry forward the spirits of those they represent in our work, in our hearts and in our ongoing commitment to justice.”

Janet Napolitano delivered a speech before Holder, concluding: “As we light candles, let us honors their memories and renew our commitment to all of our law enforcement officers who so proudly serve our nation, our communities and the American people.”